Is Mouth Breathing Harming Your Child’s Smile? What You Should Know

A Common Problem With Lasting Repercussions

Mouth breathing is a common problem among adults, but did you know it also affects children? Though it is common in all ages, it is often overlooked in the little ones. What exactly do we mean by mouth breathing? Mouth breathing is when a person is unable to breathe through their nose and instead takes their breaths through their mouth. It might sound harmless, but it has some sneaky side effects. In fact, breathing through the mouth can impact a child’s oral health and facial development.

Sometimes, mouth breathing can be a sign that there is something else going on in your child’s health. If you suspect that your child might be breathing through their mouth, the first step is to see a trusted pediatric dentist to find out what is going on. But for today, we will answer the common questions about mouth breathing and when you should be concerned.

Common Causes of Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing isn’t always constant. Certain things, such as allergies or the common cold, typically come with a bad case of mouth breathing. Though annoying, this should clear up on its own, but as always, if you are concerned, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s better to have answers than to wish you had asked the questions.

Did you know that enlarged tonsils or adenoids can contribute to mouth breathing? Adenoids are the virus-fighting superheroes in the roof of your child’s mouth. When these become inflamed, it can create some extra mouth breathing. The same goes for enlarged tonsils. If your child is dealing with sinus drainage or even an illness that affects their tonsils, breathing through the mouth often follows.

Sometimes mouth breathing is habitual, specifically during sleep. This often goes hand-in-hand with snoring, or even poor sleep altogether. If your child tends to breathe exclusively through their mouth at night, it can also be a sign of sleep apnea.

Signs Your Child Might Be a Mouth Breather

You might think it would be obvious if your child is a mouth breather, but that’s not always the case. If your child only falls into the mouth-breathing trap at night, it’s less likely you will notice. If it’s allergy season, it can be easy to ignore the issue and blame it on something else.

If your little one starts snoring, specifically if they snore with their mouth open, this is a sign that they might be a mouth breather. If you have noticed an increased thirst in your little one, or even regularly dry lips, these are tell-tale signs of mouth breathing.

Mouth breathing can affect how your child appears. Children who breathe through their mouths often end up with longer faces and a receded chin. It could also create crowded teeth and droopy eyes from the lack of sleep.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Oral Health

So how does mouth breathing affect a child’s oral health? It can create all sorts of problems with your child’s teeth. First, breathing through the mouth creates dry mouth. This, in turn, makes it much easier for cavities to drill their way into those little teeth. The moisture in our mouths serves as a first line of defense against the bacteria that cause cavities.

Mouth breathing puts pressure on the teeth, which can lead to poor jaw development. This will sometimes present in a longer face and a receding jawbone, along with misaligned teeth. These things can affect a child’s speech development and their facial growth.

What Parents Can Do

So, what should parents do to help their child with their mouth breathing? When should you act?

If you are concerned that your child might be breathing through their mouth instead of their nose, one of the first steps is to schedule a pediatric dental evaluation with Must Love Kids. We can help determine if it is something that needs attention or might simply go away with the end of allergy season.

We will be able to help you decide if your child needs to get airway screenings or referrals to other places such as an ENT or sleep specialist. These professionals can help change your child’s life by helping them through problems such as sleep apnea or other misalignments that make breathing harder.

Mouth breathing could be a sign of something more.

Early intervention is the key to preventing long-term problems, especially when it comes to mouth breathing. If left alone for too long, breathing through the mouth can hinder your child’s development. It can affect their speech, the shape of their jaw, and their overall quality of life. Mouth breathing isn’t always just a habit—it can be a sign of something more.

The team at Must Love Kids is here to help identify and address these issues early. Never be afraid to reach out with any questions or concerns. Whether you need to get your child’s next cleaning on the calendar, or are ready for a consultation, we are here for you every step of the way!